A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Couples, Families, and Food

Should you visit Santorini or Reykjavik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Reykjavik, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Santorini

Santorini is a stunning, historic, and romantic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Santorini and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santorini than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Santorini is very popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking. Santorini is more touristy than Reykjavik and is known for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. It is also well known for The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Reykjavik is famous for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Santorini different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Santorini. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santorini or Reykjavik?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Santorini is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. One of the most impressive historical sights is Akrotiri Archaeological Site. The island has many archeological sites as well as the Archeological Museum in Fira.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Santorini or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Santorini. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Santorini and Reykjavik.

If you're looking for night time activities Santorini has a few options to choose from. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Resorts?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Santorini offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The resorts range from all-inclusive options to resorts with a more local feel. The island is one of the most romantic of the Greek Islands, and the resorts are no exception.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santorini has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Some of the best snorkeling places are found at Red Beach, White Beach, and the less accessible Kambia. One of the island's best diving spots is Caldera Beach.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos Beach.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Santorini. The best hiking trails on the island pass by quaint villages and offers stunning ocean views. You can also hike along the edge of a volcano.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Reykjavik?

Santorini is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santorini. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Santorini is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Santorini is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Santorini has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Santorini and Reykjavik are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santorini. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.

Reykjavik is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Santorini is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Santorini is not popular with students.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santorini and Reykjavik both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Santorini or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Santorini is a somewhat walkable island. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Santorini Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Reykjavik?

In either Santorini or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than Reykjavik because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Couples should spend more time in Santorini than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santorini that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santorini than Reykjavik if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santorini.

One day in Santorini or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and food around the quaint island of Santorini. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning destination of Santorini. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the friendly destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Reykjavik?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the romantic island of Santorini. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly city of Reykjavik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Santorini or Reykjavik?

Santorini is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santorini, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Santorini much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santorini would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santorini and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Santorini.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Reykjavik?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Reykjavik, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.